Multnomah Falls Trail

(Columbia River Gorge Oregon)

Click on photograph to enlarge

Total hiking distance covered 2.04 Miles round trip

Total time on trail 0 hrs 32 minutes   

Total ascent 620 feet

     On Saturday, October 13, 2007 I hiked the Multnomah Falls trail in the Columbia Gorge with my daughter Wendy.  My wife and I traveled to Wendy's home in Vancouver Washington for a vacation visit which included sight seeing as well as some hiking.  Wendy had been hiking the trails in the gorge on a regular basis in order to prepare to hike the Grand Canyon with me in the near future.  We took the opportunity to get some hiking in as well.  As we drove into the gorge the weather was foggy and there weren't many views of the river or anything else but within an hour, the fogs cleared and the weather was cool but beautiful.  We also took the opportunity to do some other shorter hikes to observe different falls but the only one I am writing about is the most crowded and moderately difficult Multnomah Falls trail.

The start of the trail	I guess REI is everywhere
That's the top?	And the bottom

Although very crowded, the trail is an moderate  paved trail for the entire length.  The incline is somewhat steep and there were few eroded spots due to all the  rain.  There are also numerous benches along the entire trail.  Where the trail is paved, it does allow a hiker to push their ability and get their heart rate high.  Unlike what we are used to here in Arizona we didn't have to pay as close attention to our foot falls which was a nice change.

Wendy at one of the lower switchbacks	Yes, I was there too.
Not quite a desert landscape.	Great views

We set a decently rapid pace and worked around the people on the trail who were there to sight see and not hike.  It was difficult at first, but became less crowded as we proceeded higher on the trail.  Soon we reached the summit and the trail started to drop down a bit.  Within a few hundred feet, we reached the platform overlooking the top of the falls.

Near the top	The vie down from the top of the falls
Great view down river	Back to the bottom and the crowds

 Although this, is not a difficult hike it is well worth the effort.  It only took us a little over ten minutes to make it to the top but was excellent exercise and if you are ever there, I would recommend the hike highly.

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Larry Wayt (gnhikn@cox.net)